Monday, January 23, 2012

New Girl by Paige Harbison

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Release Date: January 31 2012Publisher: Harlequin TeenPages: 304

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I began this book. The premise sounded quite different from anything I've read recently, which is what lead me to pick it up. What I found within the pages of New Girl swept me up and kept me reading intently until the very end.

This book has a lot to offer someone who's looking for a fun, entertaining read. Mystery, secrets, suspense, romance, mean girls, and some juicy drama! Not one page, not one paragraph was boring. The plot was fantastic. There was always something happening to keep the story moving along and I was swept up in looking for clues and trying to figure out the answer to the big mystery that sits at the centre of the novel.

As for the characters, there were a few I loved, and a lot I loved to hate. Paige Harbison has written characters that felt real, complex, and intruiging. Even side characters with smaller roles had personality and never fell flat.

New Girl was without a doubt a deliciously captivating and enticing read that, at its conclusion, left this reader with a very satisfied smile.